Story and photos by Sydney Yonker
On a windy fall-colored road thirty minutes outside Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, sits grandma’s farmhouse.
About a decade ago, Jerry Milan bought his grandmother’s house and farm. His wife Emily had purchased cattle with her father’s help after high school. A long-running family joke is that the cattle were Emily’s dowry.
“He bought the farm, I brought the cattle,” Emily said with a laugh while feeding the cattle.
The Milan farm consists of cattle, horses, and chickens; the family now includes children Emma, Ila, Cora and Jed. The family of six is supported by Jerry’s income as a self-employed welder, a job he chose to spend more time with his family. Emily, a stay-at-home mom, homeschools the four kids as they play, learn, and help around the farm.
When school is out for the day, the girls head outside to swing, run, and go on “cow adventures” around the property. Climbing trees, running on hay bales, and exploring the woods are also some of the kids’ favorite after-school activities.
Jerry and Emily use Psalms 127:4-5 as guidance while raising their children: “Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them!”
The Milans hope to lead Emma, Ila, Cora and Jed in the right direction. Even if their children face difficulties, like an arrow that may skew from its path, the couple hope the children will still hit their intended target.